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China accepts Mbappé apology after Mao joke triggers brand exodus and La Liga TV ban
Kylian Mbappé apologised for an 'ill-judged' comment about Mao Zedong made on a French talk show, after Chinese sponsors cut ties with the Real Madrid forward and state broadcaster CCTV halted La Liga coverage. Beijing said Wednesday it was taking the apology seriously.
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China 'takes seriously' Mbappe apology after Mao Zedong comments cost him sponsors
China's Foreign Ministry has acknowledged Kylian Mbappe's apology over comments describing Mao Zedong as 'a Chinese dictator', though it remains unclear whether the country will restore La Liga broadcasts suspended in response to the controversy.
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Ratcliffe flies in to watch Carrick's struggling United face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge
Sir Jim Ratcliffe will travel to London to watch Manchester United's Premier League trip to Chelsea on Saturday, with Michael Carrick under pressure after just one win from United's opening eight league games.
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Terry Butcher compares Ipswich's Julio Enciso to Maradona as Tractor Boys eye survival
England and Ipswich legend Terry Butcher has likened 22-year-old Paraguayan midfielder Julio Enciso to Diego Maradona, saying the former Brighton man can win games on his own as Ipswich sit 12th in the Premier League, four points clear of the drop zone.
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Arteta refuses to reveal what he told red-carded Dowman as Arsenal exit Carabao Cup
Mikel Arteta declined to disclose what he said to 16-year-old Max Dowman after the Arsenal winger was controversially sent off in their Carabao Cup fourth-round defeat to Fleetwood Town, saying only that it related to a conversation held before the game.
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Rice, Madueke and Calafiori doubts cloud Arsenal's build-up to Liverpool showdown
Arsenal's Carabao Cup exit to League Two Fleetwood Town on penalties was compounded by injury concerns over Declan Rice, Noni Madueke and Riccardo Calafiori, all of whom missed the trip to the Fylde coast ahead of Sunday's Premier League clash with Liverpool.
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Gary Neville hosts Greater Manchester small businesses event at Salford City
Gary Neville welcomed independent business owners, sole traders and accountants to Salford City FC for an event celebrating the role of small businesses in Greater Manchester's football communities ahead of the festive period.
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Espanyol sack Manolo González hours after Sestao River's 121st-minute Copa stunner
Jon Rojo's goal deep into extra time gave third-tier Sestao River a 4-3 Copa del Rey upset over Espanyol on Tuesday. Within hours, Espanyol dismissed head coach Manolo González, who had taken just one point from their previous 15 available in La Liga.
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Captain Tom Christie signs two-year extension to anchor Newcastle Red Bulls rebuild
Newcastle Red Bulls captain Tom Christie has committed to the club until at least the end of the 2028-29 season, signing a two-year contract extension after making 19 appearances in his debut campaign and taking over the captaincy this season.
Rugby -
Lip reader reveals Arteta's words to Dowman after red card sinks Arsenal at Fleetwood
Mikel Arteta reportedly told 16-year-old Max Dowman to 'get in the changing room' after the teenager was sent off for kicking out at a Fleetwood player, leaving Arsenal with 10 men before they were eliminated on penalties in the Carabao Cup.
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Lancaster targets first Leinster scalp as Connacht end 13-game losing streak
Stuart Lancaster heads into Friday's interprovincial derby in Galway seeking his first win over former employers Leinster, who have beaten Connacht 13 consecutive times since January 2021. The Connacht head coach calls the fixture a 'benchmark' after back-to-back wins over Saracens and Zebre.
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Carrick set to recall Fernandes for Chelsea trip after Man Utd clear the air
Bruno Fernandes is expected to return to Manchester United's squad for Saturday's visit to Stamford Bridge after manager Michael Carrick moved to draw a line under their public falling-out, according to The Athletic.
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Thierry Henry defends Ballon d'Or hosting after jokes about Yamal and Kate Scott spark backlash
Thierry Henry has pushed back against criticism of his performance as Ballon d'Or presenter in London, insisting his exchanges with co-host Kate Scott and Lamine Yamal were pre-planned jokes rather than moments of disrespect.
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Mbappé-Mao: Real Madrid Refuses to Apologize, China Threatens Economic Retaliation
After the controversy triggered by Kylian Mbappé's comments about Mao Zedong, Real Madrid refuses to issue an official apology, calling the incident a matter of "personal expression." China Media Group warns the club of economic consequences unless it makes amends.
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Thauvin blazes with Lens and revives his France candidacy at 33
With 4 goals and 8 assists in 8 Ligue 1 matches for RC Lens, Florian Thauvin has established himself as one of the standout players in the championship. His potential return to the France squad under Zinedine Zidane is sparking debate.
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Thierry Henry tells critics to relax after Ballon d'Or Lamine Yamal joke misfires
Thierry Henry has defended himself on Instagram after jokes he made while co-hosting the Ballon d'Or ceremony drew online criticism, insisting his quip about Lamine Yamal's Kopa Trophy was misread and that a jibe at co-host Kate Scott was scripted.
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Audi appoints Thomas Fuhr as CEO to sharpen its F1 power unit push
Audi has named industry veteran Thomas Fuhr as CEO of Audi Formula Racing GmbH, the Neuburg division building its F1 power unit. The move is designed to free chief technical director Stefan Dreyer to concentrate solely on engine development.
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Injury-ravaged Stormers sign double World Cup winner Mbonambi from Sharks
Bongi Mbonambi has rejoined the Stormers on a one-year deal after his contract with the Sharks was terminated following a disciplinary dispute. The double World Cup winner is available immediately as Cape Town's hooker stocks are decimated by injury and suspension.
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Man United stuck with £107m of unsellable players as Shaw, Maguire and Martinez near exits
Manchester United face a painful summer overhaul, with five first-team players valued at a combined £107.5m proving difficult to move on, while Luke Shaw, Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez are all set to leave as free agents.
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Merson accuses Arteta of double standards over public dressing-down of 16-year-old Dowman
Paul Merson has criticised Mikel Arteta for publicly berating 16-year-old Max Dowman after his red card in Arsenal's Carabao Cup exit to Fleetwood, arguing the manager would not have treated a senior international player the same way.
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